The Olympic Games scheduled to take place in London on 2012 may become a target for cyber attack, former British home secretary, David Blunkett warned.

 

Speaking at the “Infosecurity Europe” conference in the British capital, Blunkett said that if the government did not take action, serious disruptions might hinder the world’s most popular sport event.

 

The Labor member of parliament said that cyber-terrorists might use sophisticated hacking techniques in attempt to shut down computer and communication systems in order to interrupt the Olympics.

 

Such attacks might result in a slow computer, but might also require PC users to acquire professional computer repair.

 

Blunkett warned that systems might suffer a complete meltdown and criticized the British government for failing to properly respond to attack threats. He added that these could be “devastating.”

 

"This can be from outside the country but also using techniques of infiltrating into key communication channels and computer links the necessary equipment to trigger complete meltdown of systems, as well as unauthorized access to data through sophisticated hacking,” Blunkett said.

 

“Such criminals could target a whole range of visitor requirements – from ticketing, transportation and the crucial area of hotel and other bookings, which would severely disrupt, or even wipe out, accommodation reservations.”

 

 

 

 

---